Loons blast Wizards to end streak

The Great Lakes Loons’ offense poured on four runs in the second inning and five runs in the fourth as they defeated the Fort Wayne Wizards Tuesday night at Dow Diamond by a score 9-4. The win snaps a four-game losing streak for the Loons.

Preston Mattingly and Juan Rivera’s run-scoring base hits highlighted the four-run second inning for the Loons and gave them a 4-0 lead.

The Loons added five more in the bottom of the fourth inning thanks in part to Rivera and Andrew Lambo’s two-out back-to-back doubles to make it 9-0 in favor of Great Lakes.

Hector Carrasco brought Fort Wayne within striking distance down 9-2 in the seventh when he blasted a two-run home run out of Dow Diamond on-the-fly, his tenth of the season to make it 9-4 Loons.

Victor Garate (4-0) started and pitched five scoreless innings on the mound for the Loons in picking up his fourth win of the season. Jon Dutton came on in relief to pitch four innings allowing four runs to complete the ballgame and earn a three-inning save.

Matt Teague (5-3) picked up the loss for the Wizards, his third of the season. Teague was charged with all nine Loons’ runs (all earned) and allowed 13 hits.

The Loons and Wizards conclude their series Wednesday night. Game time is 7:05 p.m.